Transfer apparatus and method for transferring one or more plies onto a carcass package on a tire building drum

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are to a transfer apparatus and a method for transferring plies onto a carcass package on a tire building drum. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer ring with first ring segments and a frame that extends in a circumferential direction about a central axis for holding the first ring segments in first angular positions distributed in the circumferential direction along the frame, wherein the first ring segments are movable relative to the frame in a radial direction from a first radial distance to a second radial distance from the central axis that is smaller than the first radial distance. The transfer apparatus further includes a first rolling device that is positionable in a second angular position interposed between the first angular positions, and a second ring segment that is positionable in the second angular position at the second radial distance from the central axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/281,921, filed Mar. 31, 2021, which in turn is a US National PhaseApplication of PCT/NL2020/050039, Filed Jan. 27, 2020, which claimspriority to Netherlands Application Serial No. 2022628, filed Feb. 22,2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a transfer apparatus and a method fortransferring one or more plies onto a carcass package on a tire buildingdrum.

A known transfer apparatus comprises a transfer ring for transferring abreaker ply onto a carcass package on a tire building drum. The transferring is provided with a plurality of ring segments and a frame thatextends in a circumferential direction about a central axis for holdingthe plurality of ring segments in a plurality of angular positionsdistributed in the circumferential direction along the frame. The ringsegments are radially movable relative to the frame to hold and releasethe breaker ply. The transfer ring further comprises a center roller forstitching the breaker ply to the carcass package on the tire buildingdrum in a central area of the tire building drum and two shoulderrollers for stitching the breaker ply along the shoulders of the tire tobe formed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disadvantage of the known transfer apparatus is that the center rollerand the two shoulder rollers occupy a part of the circumference of thetransfer ring, typically at the top of the transfer ring. At thatangular position, there is no space to mount a ring segment. As aconsequence, the distribution of the ring segments in thecircumferential direction along the frame is locally interrupted.Meanwhile, the industry demands increasingly thinner breaker plies whichare more likely to deform when not properly engaged by the ring segmentsof the transfer ring. In particular, the relative thin breaker pliestend to behave unpredictably and/or bulge considerably in the absence ofa ring segment at the location of the center roller and the two shoulderrollers.

In an attempt to solve the problem, the applicant has considered tolower the center roller to provide additional support to the breaker plyat the location where the ring segment is absent. However, thecylindrical shape and/or free rolling nature of the center roll actuallyincreases the unpredictable behavior of relative thin breaker ply.

Hence, with the known transfer apparatus it is difficult to keep therelatively thin breaker plies circular in order to reliably transfersaid breaker plies to a carcass package on the tire building drum.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer apparatusand a method for transferring one or more plies onto a carcass packageon a tire building drum, wherein the reliability of the transfer can beimproved.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a transfer apparatusfor transferring one or more plies onto a carcass package on a tirebuilding drum, wherein the transfer apparatus comprises a transfer ringwith a plurality of first ring segments and a frame that extends in acircumferential direction about a central axis for holding each of theplurality of first ring segments in a respective first angular position,wherein the first angular positions of the plurality of first ringsegments are distributed in the circumferential direction along theframe, wherein the plurality of first ring segments are movable relativeto the frame in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axisfrom a first radial distance to a second radial distance from thecentral axis that is smaller than the first radial distance, wherein thetransfer apparatus further comprises a first rolling device that ispositionable in a second angular position interposed between theplurality of first angular positions in the circumferential direction,wherein the transfer apparatus further comprises a second ring segmentthat is positionable in the second angular position at the second radialdistance from the central axis.

The second ring segment may alternate with or supplement the firstrolling device in the second angular position. In particular, the secondring segment can contact, engage and/or hold the one or more plies atthe second angular position when transferring said one or more pliesonto the carcass package on the tire building drum. Hence, the one ormore plies can be held and/or supported by the transfer apparatus moreevenly, more uniformly or more reliably in the circumferentialdirection, thereby reducing and/or preventing the negative effects ofthe absence of a first ring segment at the second angular position. Theone or more plies can thus be kept more circular during the transfer,thereby improving the reliability of said transfer. This can beparticularly advantageous when transferring one or more relatively thinbreaker plies.

In a preferred embodiment the second ring segment is adapted toaccommodate the first rolling device when the second ring segment andthe first rolling device are in the second angular position at thesecond radial distance simultaneously. Hence, the second ring segmentdoes not have to alternate with the first rolling device to be at thesecond radial distance. In other words, the first rolling device doesnot have to be moved clear from the second radial distance for thesecond ring segment to be moved into the second angular position at thesecond radial distance. This can save valuable time when switching fromtransfer to stitching of the one or more plies on the carcass package onthe tire building drum.

In another embodiment the first rolling device is movable from thesecond radial distance to a third radial distance from the central axisthat is smaller than the second radial distance, wherein the second ringsegment allows for passage of at least a part of the first rollingdevice beyond the second ring segment to the third radial distance whenthe second ring segment is in the second angular position at the secondradial distance. Hence, the first rolling device can be moved into anstitching position beyond the second ring segment in the radially inwarddirection so as to apply and/or press the one or more plies onto thecarcass package on the tire building drum, while the second ring segmentremains at the second radial distance.

In another embodiment the second ring segment allows for passage of theentire first rolling device through said second ring segment. The firstrolling device can thus be passed completely through the second ringsegment. Consequently, the second ring segment can be passed completelyalong the first rolling device without colliding and can therefore moveindependently from the first rolling device. In other words, the firstrolling device and the second ring segment may alternate and/or switchpositions.

In another embodiment the second ring segment is retractable in theradial direction from the second radial distance towards the firstradial distance, wherein the second ring segment is arranged for passingalong the first rolling device in the radial direction when the firstrolling device is at the second radial distance. The second ring segmentcan thus be retracted while the first rolling device remains in place.This can save valuable time when switching from transfer to stitching ofthe one or more plies.

In another embodiment the first rolling device and the second ringsegment are coaxially movable in the radial direction. In other words,the first rolling device and the second ring segment can pass each otheralong the same axis in the radial direction. Hence, the first rollingdevice and the second ring segment can both be aligned in the secondangular position and move in the radial direction, i.e. between thefirst radial distance and the second radial distance.

In another embodiment the second ring segment comprises a first legextending at a first side of the first rolling device in thecircumferential direction and a second leg extending at a second side ofthe first rolling device in the circumferential direction opposite tothe first side. The first leg and the second leg can contact the one ormore plies at the second radial distance at opposite sides of the firstrolling device in the circumferential direction without interfering withthe operation of said first rolling device.

Preferably, the second ring segment further comprises a first connectingmember and a second connecting member interconnecting the first leg andthe second leg at a third side of the first rolling device in an axialdirection parallel to the central axis and at a fourth side of the firstrolling device in the axial direction opposite to the third side,respectively. By interconnecting the first leg and the second leg, thelegs of the second ring segment can be positioned more accuratelyrelative to each other. In other words, the second ring segment can bemore rigid.

More preferably, the first leg, the second leg, the first connectingmember and the second connecting member form a shell around the firstside, the second side, the third side and the fourth side of the firstrolling device when the second ring segment and the first rolling deviceare at the second radial distance simultaneously. The first rollingdevice can be nested inside the shell at the second radial distance. Byhaving the shell, it can be prevented that the first rolling deviceinadvertently contacts the one or more plies.

In another embodiment the second ring segment is arranged to movetogether with first ring segments from the first radial distance to thesecond radial distance. The second ring segment can thus be operated inthe same or substantially the same way as the first ring segments.

In another embodiment the first ring segments and/or the second ringsegment are fixed against rotation relative to the frame. The first ringsegments and/or the second ring segment can thus be kept stationary intheir respective angular positions when at a specific radial distancefrom the central axis. In contrast, as specified below, the firstrolling device may be rotatable, i.e. a roller.

In another embodiment the first ring segments and/or the second ringsegment comprise one or more retaining elements for retaining the one ormore plies. Preferably, the one or more retaining elements comprisesmagnets, vacuum openings and/or needles. The one or more plies can thusbe held more reliably compared to a situation in which the one or moreplies are held through contact only. This is particularly advantageousin combination with relatively thin breaker plies, which may not berigid enough in themselves to keep the circular shape.

In another embodiment the first rolling device comprises a roller. Theroller can be used to roll over the one or more plies during stitchingon the carcass package on the tire building drum when said tire buildingdrum is rotating. In particular, the roller may be rotatable about aroller axis parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis ofthe tire building drum.

Preferably, the first rolling device comprises a center roller forstitching the one or more plies on the carcass package on the tirebuilding drum. Said center roller is arranged to press or stitch the oneor more plies onto the carcass package on the tire building drum in acentral area of said one or more plies.

Alternatively, the first rolling device comprises one or more shoulderwheels for stitching the one or more plies on the carcass package on thetire building drum. The one or more shoulder wheels can be used to pressor stitch the one or more plies against a shaped carcass on the tirebuilding drum, i.e. by following the contour of the so-called‘shoulders’ of said carcass.

In case of the embodiment where the first rolling device is the centerroller, the transfer apparatus may further comprise a second rollingdevice that is positionable in a third angular position interposedbetween the plurality of first angular positions in the circumferentialdirection, wherein the transfer apparatus further comprises a third ringsegment that is positionable in the third angular position at the secondradial distance from the central axis. Similarly to the second ringsegment, the third ring segment may alternate with or supplement thesecond rolling device in the third angular position. In particular, thethird ring segment can contact, engage and/or hold the one or more pliesat the third angular position when transferring said one or more pliesonto the carcass package on the tire building drum. Hence, the one ormore plies can be held and/or supported by the transfer apparatus moreevenly in the circumferential direction, thereby reducing and/orpreventing the negative effects of the absence of a first ring segmentat the third angular position.

Preferably, said second rolling device comprises one or more shoulderwheels for stitching the one or more plies on the carcass package on thetire building drum. The one or more shoulder wheels can be used to pressor stitch the one or more plies against a shaped carcass on the tirebuilding drum, i.e. by following the contour of the so-called‘shoulders’ of said carcass.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method fortransferring one or more plies onto a carcass package on a tire buildingdrum using the transfer apparatus according to any one of theaforementioned embodiments, wherein the method comprises the step ofpositioning the second ring segment in the second angular position atthe second radial distance from the central axis.

The method relates to the practical implementation of the transferapparatus and thus provides the same technical advantages as thetransfer apparatus and its respective embodiments. Said technicaladvantages will not be repeated hereafter for conciseness.

In a preferred embodiment, prior to, simultaneously with or after thestep of positioning the second ring segment in the second angularposition at the second radial distance from the central axis, the methodcomprises the step of positioning the first rolling device in the secondangular position at the second radial distance, wherein the second ringsegment accommodates the first rolling device when the second ringsegment and the first rolling device are in the second angular positionat the second radial distance simultaneously.

In another embodiment the method further comprises the step of movingthe first rolling device from the second radial distance to a thirdradial distance from the central axis that is smaller than the secondradial distance while the second ring segment remains at the secondradial distance, wherein the first rolling device protrudes at leastpartially beyond second ring segment to the third radial distance whenthe second ring segment is in the second angular position at the secondradial distance.

In another embodiment the method further comprises the step of passingthe first rolling device entirely through second ring segment.

In another embodiment the method further comprises the step ofretracting the second ring segment in the radial direction from thesecond radial distance towards the first radial distance while the firstrolling device remains at the second radial distance, wherein the secondring segment passes along the first rolling device in the radialdirection when the first rolling device remains at the second radialdistance.

In another embodiment the second ring segment is moved together withfirst ring segments from the first radial distance to the second radialdistance.

In another embodiment the first rolling device comprises a roller,wherein the roller rolls over the one or more plies during stitching onthe carcass package on the tire building drum.

In another embodiment the transfer apparatus further comprises a secondrolling device that is positionable in a third angular positioninterposed between the plurality of first angular positions in thecircumferential direction, wherein the transfer apparatus furthercomprises a third ring segment that is positionable in the third angularposition at the second radial distance from the central axis.

Additionally or alternatively, the transfer apparatus further comprisestwo shoulder wheels that are positionable in a third angular positioninterposed between the plurality of first angular positions in thecircumferential direction, wherein the method further comprises the stepof moving the two shoulder wheels apart at the second radial distance inan axial direction parallel to the central axis to match a width of theone or more plies in said axial direction. The two shoulder wheels mayprovide additional support to the one or more plies during the transferat the longitudinal edges thereof.

The various aspects and features described and shown in thespecification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. Theseindividual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described inthe attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patentapplications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodimentshown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1-4 shows side views of a transfer apparatus with a transfer ring,a first rolling device, a second rolling device, first ring segments anda second ring segment according to a first embodiment of the inventionduring different steps of a method for transferring one or more pliesonto a carcass package on a tire building drum;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternative transfer apparatus accordingto a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show perspective views of the transfer apparatusaccording to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, respectively; and

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a further alternative transferapparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8 show a transfer apparatus 1 according to a firstembodiment of the invention. The transfer apparatus 1 is used fortransferring one or more plies (not shown), in particular one or morebreaker plies, onto a carcass package (not shown) on a tire buildingdrum 9.

The tire building drum 9 comprises a number of radially expandable drumsegments 90 to shape a carcass (not shown) in a manner known per se. Thetire building drum 9 comprises a plurality of magnets distributed overthe drum segments 90. The plurality of magnets comprises one or more tipmagnets 91 for holding the leading tip or end and/or the trailing tip orend of the one more plies. The magnets may be of different type, size orstrength. Alternatively, all of the magnets may be the same type, sizeand/or strength, but the number of magnets may be varied per drumsegment. Typically, the tip magnets 91 generate the largest or strongestmagnetic field.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the transfer apparatus 1 comprises a transferring 2 for holding the one or more plies during the transfer towardsand/or onto the carcass package on the tire building drum 9. Thetransfer ring 2 comprises a plurality of first ring segments 3 and aframe 20 that extends in a circumferential direction C about a centralaxis S for holding the plurality of first ring segments 3. The frame 20is arranged for holding each first ring segment 3 of the plurality offirst ring segments 3 in a respective first angular positions A1. Thefirst angular positions A1 of the plurality of first ring segments 3 aredistributed in the circumferential direction C along the frame 20. Inthe context of the present invention, the ‘angular position’ is to beinterpreted as: the orientation of an object, in this case the firstring segment 3, with respect to a reference position as expressed by theamount of rotation necessary to change from one orientation to the otherabout the central axis S. The first angular positions A1 may for examplebe expressed in degrees or radians relative to a zero position(typically the top of the transfer ring 2). In this exemplaryembodiment, the first angular positions A1 are evenly spaced apart overapproximately forty degrees.

Note that for the purpose of holding the first ring segments 3, theframe 20 itself does not have to be circular. In this exemplaryembodiment, the inner contour of the frame 20 is circular, while theouter contour can have any suitable shape depending on the configurationof the transfer apparatus 1. The frame 20 may for example hold one ormore drives for controlling the operation and/or movement of thetransfer apparatus 1. Moreover, the frame 20 may be interrupted in thecircumferential direction C, for example as shown at the top. Hence, theframe 20 does not necessarily form a closed annulus.

Each first ring segment 3 of the plurality of first ring segments 3comprises a gripper head 30 and an arm 31 that connects said gripperhead 30 to a radial drive (not shown) for the respective first ringsegment 3 in the frame 20.

As shown when comparing FIGS. 1 and 3 or FIGS. 6 and 8, the plurality offirst ring segments 3 are movable relative to the frame 20 in a radialdirection R perpendicular to the central axis S from a first radialdistance R1 (FIG. 3) to or up to a second radial distance R2 (FIG. 1)from the central axis S that is smaller than the first radial distanceR1. In other words, the plurality of first ring segments 3 are in anextended state towards the central axis S in FIG. 1 and in a contractedstated away from the central axis S in FIG. 3. The second radialdistance R2 may be chosen to substantially match the diameter of the oneor more plies to be transferred. Hence, in at the second radial distanceR2, the gripper heads 30 of the plurality of first ring segments 3 arearranged to abut and/or contact the one or more plies. The first ringsegments 3 may be provided with one or more retaining elements (notshown) for retaining the one or more plies to the respective first ringsegment 3. The gripper heads 30 may for example be provided with one ormore magnets, vacuum openings and/or needles to engage the one or moreplies.

The plurality of first ring segments 3 are preferably fixed againstrotation relative to the frame 20. More in particular, the first ringsegments 3 do not act like rotating bodies, such as rollers. In otherwords, the plurality of first ring segments 3 can be moved into abutmentor contact with the one or more plies and can subsequently be heldstationary or substantially stationary relative to the frame 20 duringthe transfer to reliably hold said one more plies.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the transfer apparatus 1 further comprises afirst rolling device 4 that is positionable in a second angular positionA2 and a second rolling device 5 that is positionable in a third angularposition A3. In this exemplary embodiment, the second angular positionA2 and the third angular position A3 are located at or near the top ofthe frame 20. The second angular position A2 and the third angularposition A3 may also be in an alternative location, i.e. at or near oneof the sides or even at the bottom of the frame 20. The second angularposition A2 and the third angular position A3 are interposed or placedbetween the plurality of first angular positions A1 in thecircumferential direction C. In particular, the second angular positionA2 and the third angular position A3 are located in the circumferentialdirection C between two consecutive first angular positions A1. In theexample as shown, the second angular position A2 and the third angularposition A3 are located close to each other, i.e. as a group between twoconsecutive first angular positions A1. Alternatively, the secondangular position A2 and the third angular position A3 may be separatedand/or between different pairs of consecutive first angular positionsA1.

The second angular position A2 is located off-center between twoconsecutive first angular positions A1 of the plurality of first angularpositions A1 in the circumferential direction C to prevent harmoniceffects in the one or more plies during the transfer.

Preferably, the rolling devices 4, 5 are arranged to roll over the oneor more plies to press, stitch and/or splice them against the carcass atthe tire building drum 9. In this example, both rolling devices 4, 5comprise a roller. In particular, the first rolling device 4 comprises acenter roller 40 for pressing, stitching and/or splicing a central areaof the one or more plies onto a carcass (not shown) at the tire buildingdrum 1 in a manner known per se. The center roller 40 is rotatable abouta roller axis parallel to the axial direction X. The first rollingdevice 4 further comprises an arm 41 for holding the center roller 40relative to the frame 20. As best seen in FIG. 6, the second rollingdevice 5 comprises two shoulder roller 51, 52 for pressing, stitchingand/or splicing the one or more plies around the so-called ‘shoulders’of a shaped carcass (not shown) on the tire building drum 1 in a mannerknown per se. The shoulder rollers 51, 52 can be spaced apart over avariable width W in an axial direction X parallel to the central axis S.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the first rolling device 4 and/or the secondrolling device 5 are positionable at the second radial distance R2 fromthe central axis S to optionally contribute to holding the one or moreplies during the transfer. In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, the transfer apparatus 1 comprises a first roller drive 81 and asecond roller drive 82 for driving the first rolling device 4 and thesecond rolling device 5, respectively. The first rolling device 4 and/orthe second rolling device 5 are movable in the radial direction Rtowards the second radial distance R2 and beyond. More in particular,the first rolling device 4 and/or the second rolling device 5 aremovable to or up to a third radial distance R3 smaller than the secondradial distance R2. At said third radial distance R3, the first rollingdevice 4 and/or the second rolling device 5 are located radially inwardsof the first ring segments 3, at or near the tire building drum 9 forpressing, stitching and/or splicing the one or more plies against acarcass (not shown) at said tire building drum 9.

Note that the first ring segments 3 are absent at the location of thefirst rolling device 4 and the second rolling device 5 at the secondangular position A2 and the third angular position A3, respectively.There is simply no space to accommodate the conventional first ringsegments 3 at the respective angular positions A2, A3. Hence, at leastlocally at the second angular position A2 and/or the third angularposition A3, the one or more plies can not be held by the plurality offirst ring segments 3. This may lead to deformation of the one or moreplies. The present invention aims to solve this problem as elucidatedbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 the transfer apparatus 1 further comprises asecond ring segment 6 that is positionable in the second angularposition A2, hence in the same angular position as the first rollingdevice 4. In particular, the second ring segment 6 is positionable atthe second radial distance R2 from the central axis S. As such, thesecond ring segment 6 can contribute to the holding of the one or moreplies during the transfer at a position where the plurality of firstring segments 3 are unable to do so. The second ring segment 6 may beprovided with one or more retaining elements (not shown) for retainingthe one or more plies to the second ring segment 6. The second ringsegment 6 may for example be provided with one or more magnets, vacuumopenings and/or needles to engage the one or more plies.

As shown when comparing FIGS. 1 and 4 or FIGS. 6 and 8, the second ringsegment 6 is movable in the radial direction R from the second radialdistance R2 towards the first radial distance R1 and vice versa. More inparticular, the first rolling device 4 and the second ring segment 6 areboth movable in said radial direction R. In this exemplary embodiment,the first rolling device 4 and the second ring segment 6 are coaxiallymovable in the radial direction R. In other words, the first rollingdevice 4 and the second ring segment 6 are movable along the same axis,being the axis that is aligned with or collinear with the second angularposition A2.

The second ring segment 6 may be arranged to move together with firstring segments 3 from the first radial distance R1 to the second radialdistance R2. In other words, the transfer apparatus 1 may be providedwith a control unit (not shown) that controls the drives of the firstring segments 3 and the second ring segment drive 6 to move thecorresponding ring segments 3, 6 simultaneously and to the same extent.

As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the transfer apparatus 1 comprises asecond ring segment drive 83 that is located to the side of the firstroller drive 81 and/or the arm 41 of the first rolling device 4 so thatit does not interfere with the operation of the first roller drive 81nor with the movement of the first rolling device 4. Hence, the firstrolling device 4 and the second ring segment 83 can be operated,controlled and/or moved independently.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the second ring segment 6 is adapted,configured, shaped and/or dimensioned to accommodate the first rollingdevice 4 when the second ring segment 6 and the first rolling device 4are in the second angular position A2 at the second radial distance R2simultaneously. In particular, the second ring segment 6 allows forpassage of at least a part of the first rolling device 4 through thesecond ring segment 6. In particular, the second ring segment 6 allowsfor passage of the entire first rolling device 4 beyond or through saidsecond ring segment 6. The first rolling device 4 may thus be movedthrough or protrude beyond the second ring segment 6 partially orcompletely, to the third radial distance R3 from the central axis S, asshown in FIG. 4. The second ring segment 6 may also be retracted fromthe second radial distance R2 towards the first radial distance R1 whilepassing along the first rolling device 4 as it remains in place at thesecond radial distance R2, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 4 and 8.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the second ring segment 6 comprises a first leg61 extending at a first side of the first rolling device 4 in thecircumferential direction C and a second leg 61 extending at a secondside of the first rolling device 4 in the circumferential direction Copposite to the first side. The two legs 61, 62 are able to contact theone or more plies at the second radial distance R2 at opposite sides ofthe first rolling device 4 in the circumferential direction C withoutinterfering with the operation of said first rolling device 4.Preferably, the legs 61, 62 form a contact surface for contacting theone or more plies that interacts with the one or more plies in a similarway as the gripper heads 30 of the plurality of first ring segments 3.In particular, the legs 61, 62 form contact surfaces that extendslinearly parallel to the central axis S. Note that the gripper heads 30of the plurality of first ring segments 3 are slightly concave comparedto the second radial distance R2 and thus also contact the one or moreplies along two linearly extending, parallel contact surfaces.

The one or more retaining elements of the second ring segment may beprovided in or at the legs 61, 62.

The second ring segment 6 further comprises a first connecting member 63and a second connecting member 64 interconnecting the first leg 61 andthe second leg 62 at a third side of the first rolling device 4 in theaxial direction X parallel to the central axis S and at a fourth side ofthe first rolling device 4 in the axial direction X opposite to thethird side, respectively. By interconnecting the first leg 61 and thesecond leg 62, the legs 61, 62 of the second ring segment 6 can bepositioned more accurately relative to each other. In other words, thesecond ring segment 6 can be more rigid. In addition, the first leg 61,the second leg 62, the first connecting member 63 and the secondconnecting member 64 can form a shell around the first side, the secondside, the third side and the fourth side of the first rolling device 4when the second ring segment 6 and the first rolling device 4 are at thesecond radial distance R2 simultaneously. In other words, the secondring segment 6 is hollow to accommodate the first rolling device 4 atleast partially inside its outer boundaries.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the second ring segment 6 further comprises anarm 65 that extends along one of the sides of the first rolling device 4in the circumferential direction C for holding the second ring segment 6relative to the frame 20. In particular, the arm 65 of the second ringsegment 6 operationally connects the second ring segment 6 to thecorresponding second ring segment drive 83. The arm 65 is located to theside of the first rolling device 4 so that it does not interfere withthe movement of said first rolling device 4 in the radial direction R.It is noted that the arm 65 of the second ring segment 6 mayalternatively be placed at a side of the first rolling device 4 in theaxial direction X parallel to the central axis S.

The second ring segment 6 may be retrofitted to an existing transferapparatus, in which case all of the aforementioned features of thesecond ring segment 6 are to be interpreted as suitable for use in anexisting transfer apparatus in combination with the first rolling deviceof said existing transfer apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative transfer apparatus 101 according to a secondembodiment of the invention, which differs from the previously discussedtransfer apparatus 1 in that it comprises a third ring segment 7 that ispositionable in the third angular position A3 at the second radialdistance R2 from the central axis S. The third ring segment 7 may havethe same features as the aforementioned second ring segment 6, only nowadapted, configured, shaped and/or dimensioned to partially orcompletely accommodate the second rolling device 5. The third ringsegment 7 can thus be used to provide additional support to the one ormore plies at the location of the third angular position A3. For thispurpose, the alternative transfer apparatus 101 comprises a third ringsegment drive 84 to drive the third ring segment 7 in the radialdirection R from the second radial distance R2 towards the first radialdistance R1 and vice versa.

FIG. 9 shows a further alternative transfer apparatus 201 according to athird embodiment of the invention, which differs from the previouslydiscussed transfer apparatuss 1, 101 in that its second ring segment 206comprises a first leg 261 extending at a first side of the first rollingdevice 4 in the axial direction X parallel to the central axis S and asecond leg 62 extending at a second side of the first rolling device 4in the axial direction X opposite to the first side. The two legs 261,262 are able to contact the one or more plies at the second radialdistance R2 at opposite sides of the first rolling device 4 in the axialdirection X parallel to the central axis S without interfering with theoperation of said first rolling device 4. The second ring segment 206may again be provided with one or more retaining elements, which in thiscase may be provided in the legs 261, 262. Similar to the legs 61, 62 asshown in FIG. 6, the legs 261, 262 in FIG. 9 are interconnected byinterconnecting members 263, 264 which—in this specific example—extendalong a third side of the first rolling device 4 in the circumferentialdirection C and along a fourth side of the first rolling device 4opposite to the third side in said circumferential direction C,respectively. In the context of most of the claims, the second ringsegment may either be the second ring segment 6 as shown in FIGS. 1-4and 6-8 or the third ring segment 7 as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, it ispointed out that the claims do not exclude the possibility of providingboth the second ring segment 6 as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8 and thethird ring segment 7 as shown in FIG. 5 in the same transfer apparatus1, 101, 201 to further optimize the support of the one or more pliesduring transfer. This can be particularly effective when the firstrolling device 4 and the second rolling device 5 are in separate, spacedapart angular positions A2, A3.

A method for transferring one or more plies, in particular breakerplies, onto the carcass package on the tire building drum 9 will now bebriefly elucidated below with reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8.

FIGS. 1 and 6 show the situation in which the second ring segment 6 ispositioned and/or moved in the radial direction R in the second angularposition A2 at the second radial distance R2 from the central axis S. Asdiscussed before, the second ring segment 6 can be moved together, i.e.simultaneously, with first ring segments 3 from the first radialdistance R1 to the second radial distance R2. In FIGS. 1 and 6, thefirst rolling device 4 remains retracted towards, at or near the firstradial distance R1. It is noted that, alternatively, the first rollingdevice 4 may be moved towards or to the second radial distance R2already prior to or simultaneously with the step of positioning thesecond ring segment 6 in the second angular position A2 at the secondradial distance R2. In that case, the second ring segment 6 wouldaccommodate or move into a position for accommodating the first rollingdevice 4 at the second radial distance R2.

In this example, the first rolling device 4 is moved towards the secondradial distance R2 only after the second ring segment 6 is at the secondradial distance R2, as shown in FIG. 2. Note that the first rollingdevice 4 may be stopped just short of the second radial distance R2 toprevent that the first rolling device 4 unintentionally contacts the oneor more plies. In particular, the first rolling device 4 may bepositioned inside the second ring segment 6, with the legs 61, 62 of thesecond ring segment 6 protruding beyond the first rolling device 4 inthe radial direction R to the second radial distance R2.

FIGS. 3 and 7 show the situation in which the first rolling device 4 andthe second ring segment 6 are both moved to or at the second radialdistance R2 from the central axis S.

FIGS. 4 and 8 show the situation in which the first rolling device 4 hasbeen moved through the second ring segment 6 towards or to the thirdradial distance R3 from the central axis S. In this case, the secondring segment 6 is retracted from the second radial distance R2 towardsor to the first radial distance R1, thereby passing along or over thefirst rolling device 4. In other words, the first rolling device 4 haspassed entirely through the second ring segment 6. Alternatively, thesecond ring segment 6 may remain in place at the second radial distanceR2, in which case the first rolling device would only extend partiallythrough the second ring segment 6 to contact the one or more plies atthe third radial distance R3.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the aforementionedsteps of the method apply mutatis mutandis to the third ring segment 7of FIG. 5.

Optionally, the method comprises the step of positioning the twoshoulder wheels 51, 52, as shown in FIG. 6, in the third angularposition A3 at the second radial distance R2 and moving or spacing themapart at in the axial direction X parallel to the central axis S to awidth W that matches or substantially matches a width of the one or moreplies in said axial direction X. In this way, the two shoulder wheels51, 52 may provide additional support to the one or more plies duringthe transfer at the longitudinal edges thereof. It is noted that thisprinciple may be applied independently from the present invention, i.e.without the use of the second ring segment 6 or the third ring segment7.

As a further option, the method may comprise the step of providing thetire building drum 9 concentrically within the transfer ring 1, i.e.with its rotation axis collinear to the central axis S of the transferapparatus 1, and rotating the tire building drum 9 about the centralaxis S into a transfer position, as shown in FIG. 1. In said transferposition, the one or more tip magnets 91 are offset in thecircumferential direction C from the second angular position A2 over anoffset angle H in the range of ninety degrees to one-hundred-and-eightydegrees, and preferably in the range of one-hundred-and-forty degrees toone-hundred-and-eighty degrees. The tip magnets 91 are typically themagnets on the tire building drum 9 having the strongest magnetic field.By offsetting the one or more tip magnets 91, the influence of thisstrong magnetic field on the position of the one or more plies at thesecond angular position A2 can be reduced and/or minimized. It is notedthat this principle may also be applied independently from the presentinvention, i.e. without the use of the second ring segment 6 or thethird ring segment 7.

It is to be understood that the above description is included toillustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meantto limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, manyvariations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet beencompassed by the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 transfer apparatus-   2 transfer ring-   20 frame-   3 first ring segment-   30 gripper head-   31 arm-   4 first rolling device-   40 center roller-   41 arm-   5 second rolling device-   51 shoulder roller-   52 shoulder roller-   6 second ring segment-   61 first leg-   62 second leg-   63 first connecting member-   64 second connecting member-   65 arm-   7 third ring segment-   81 first roller drive-   82 second roller drive-   83 second ring segment drive-   84 third ring segment drive-   9 tire building drum-   90 drum segment-   91 tip magnet-   101 alternative transfer apparatus-   201 further alternative transfer apparatus-   206 second ring segment-   261 first leg-   262 second leg-   263 first interconnecting member-   264 second interconnecting member-   A1 first angular position-   A2 second angular position-   A3 third angular position-   C circumferential direction-   H offset angle-   R radial direction-   R1 first radial distance-   R2 second radial distance-   R3 third radial distance-   S central axis-   W width-   X axial direction

1-21: (canceled) 22: A transfer apparatus for transferring one or moreplies onto a carcass package on a tire building drum, wherein thetransfer apparatus comprises a transfer ring with a plurality of firstring segments and a frame that extends in a circumferential directionabout a central axis for holding the plurality of first ring segmentsdistributed in the circumferential direction along the frame, whereinthe plurality of first ring segments are movable relative to the framein a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis from a firstradial distance to a second radial distance from the central axis thatis smaller than the first radial distance, wherein the transferapparatus further comprises two shoulder wheels in an angular positioninterposed between the plurality of first ring segments in thecircumferential direction for stitching the one or more plies to thecarcass package on the tire building drum, wherein the two shoulderwheels, at the second radial distance, are movable apart in an axialdirection parallel to the central axis to a variable width to match awidth of the one or more plies in said axial direction. 23: The transferapparatus according to claim 22, wherein the transfer apparatuscomprises a further ring segment that is positionable in the angularposition of the two shoulder rollers at the second radial distance fromthe central axis. 24: A method for transferring one or more plies onto acarcass package on a tire building drum using the transfer apparatusaccording to claim 22, wherein the method comprises the step of, at thesecond radial distance, moving the two shoulder wheels apart in an axialdirection parallel to the central axis to a variable width to match awidth of the one or more plies in said axial direction. 25: The methodaccording to claim 24, wherein the transfer apparatus comprises afurther ring segment, wherein the method comprises the step ofpositioning the further ring segment in the angular position of the twoshoulder rollers at the second radial distance from the central axis.26: The method according to claim 24, wherein the two shoulder wheelsare at the second radial distance during the transfer to provideadditional support to the one or more plies during the transfer at thelongitudinal edges of said one or more plies.